Automatic weather map plotter



July 28, 1953 Filed Aug. 31 1951 R. E. OFFEMAN 46,732

AUTOMATIC WEATHER MAP PLOTTER l2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3mm Ric/mrdf. Offeman July 28, 1953 R" E. OFFEMAN 2,646,732

AUTOMATIC WEATHER MAP PLOTTER Filed Aug. 51, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 z/wfjaf/ y 28, 3 R. E. OFFEMAN 2,646,732

AUTOMATIC WEATHER MAP PLOTTER Filed Aug. 51, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 3nmwn$ob Ric/lam f. Offeman y 8 3 R E. OFFEMAN ,646,732

AUTOMATIC WEATHER MAP PLOTTER Filed Aug. 31, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 0 0 8 10 L O J j I I n 5 5, "LdICDIlIZCU a 3rd I-camrrs F198 Fi .9 #4

I as

i z I I I f I I I I I s I I s i a EJ090170 f. Offs/nan y 28, 1953 R. E. OFFEMAN 2,646,732

AUTOMATIC WEATHER MAP PLOTTER Filed Aug. 51, 1951 12 Sheeis-Sheet 6 k s Q UIIIIIIIED [1:11am k w Q:

A mm m k mm a a. a

e N k i i *1 Q Y grww tom Fl cfirgflf. Offs/ 7.1a

July 28, 1953 R E. OFFEMAN AUTOMATIC WEATHER MAP PLOTTER l2 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 31, 1951 July 28, 1953 R. E. OFFEMAN AUTOMATIC WEAZIHER MAP PLOTTER Filed Aug. 51 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 QNMQ Elma/whom Richard [I Uffeman July 28, 1953 R E. OFFEMAN AUTOMATIC WEATHER MAP PLOTTER l2 Sheets-Sheet, 9

Filed Aug. 31, 1951 R/c/mrdf. Offf/"M N R. E. OFF'EMAN AUTOMATIC WEATHER MAP PLOTTER July 28, 1953 l2 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Aug. 31 1951 OWN QRQ

July 28, 1953 R. E. OFFEMAN 2,646,732

AUTOMATIC WEATHER MAP PLOTTER Filed Aug. 51, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 July 28, 1953 R E. OFFEMAN AUTOMATIC WEATHER MAP PLOTTER l2 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Aug. 51 1951 oak I 23 Patented July 28, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE {Granted under Title 35, U. '8. Code (1952),

see. 266) 3 G a ms- This invention relates to photographic apparatus for plotting at particular points on a sensitized map, chart or other form specific data which may be symbolical in nature. In particular the invention, as herein defined and described, relates to apparatus for photographically plotting on a chart or map at the point of observation coded synoptic weather reports as received from various weather observing stations. I

Heretofore it has been the practice to manually plot in a standardizediorm, positioned on asynoptic chart or map at the reporting station, the synoptic reportsas they are received at a .central control station. The .applicants lapparatusflin the particular embodfiunent herein described is designed to plot automatically these .synopticre ports in the International 1942 Weather Code on a light sensitized synoptic weather chart. ihe apparatus is adaptable to any chart and will enter a maximum of one "thousand stations in any desired order. The apparatus is not limited to plotting in the International 1942 Weather Code. It canbe adapted to plot in any system of symbols or other 'indicia which maybe used. l

The numbers or symbols for each element are p t n sen tiz d m b mean c alight beams. As the coded synoptic reportsare manua ly typed amm t all i et ned into h ma chin Las p q at e I O s sh l me d th od is o ed' a o tion l oni p th l ht source. After passing through the negative, the light beam is directed to astation "position by a e ies o r e r c insmi r This invention therefore deals with th'e'means of selecting the proper mirror for reflecting the incident light 'beam to the particular station on the sensitized map and with means for positioning the proper negative in front of {the light source and in the path of light emanating therefrom.

The general object of the invention is to provide-apparatus for plotting data by means of 'reflected light beams which are modified by passage through a particular negative.

:It is a particular object of the invention to provide apparatus 'for plotting weather code data by means of reflected light beams which are modified through a particular negati-ve.

It is also an object of the invention to provide apparatus for plotting the weather code data by manually controlled means.

It is an additional object of the invention *to provide apparatus for automatically plotting the weather code data 'by means of direct connection to a'teletype or other signalingcircuit.

Other objects such as relate to the arrangement and construction of the apparatus will be ap parent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an isometric drawing, partly in elevation, partly in section and partly broken away, showing the arrangement of the projector, wind slides, banks of mirrors and sensitized map in operative position;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view partly in section, of the rotary shaft of the projector, the rotating mechanism, the lifting mechanism, the rotary switch and the return mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the shaft taken along line 33 of Fig. 2, showing the rotating mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a plan view taken along line 1-4 of Fig. 2 showing the lifting stop mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a view taken along line 55 of Fig. 2 showing the shaft return mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through the light assembly positioned within the shutter drum and showing a 'collimating lens assembly;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the shutter positioned in front of the light assembly tube and showing the operating mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a plan View of the contact plates for station selection;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the contact plates taken along 1ine'9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the contact plates taken along-line lit-l0 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the rotary negative holder plate showing the weather sto bar in :retarded position;

Fig. 12 is a front View of one of the negative holders orguides on the negative holder plate;

Fig. 13 is a front view of a weather slide;

Fig. 14 is an elevatonal view of one set of the electromagnetically actuated stop bars which-engage specific notches in the weatherstop bar;

Fig. 15 is a diametrical sectional view taken through the negative holder showing the electric magnetic means for the operationof .the weather stop bar;

Fig. 16 is a top plan view of the rotary-shutter drum surrounding the negative holder;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the shutter'drum, along line l"ii-l showing detail of the weather slide contacts; Fig. '18 is a plan view of the station .model printed onthe synopticmap and in whichthereported data are printed by the modified 'beam of light reflected to particular areas within the model; a

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the negative strip which is carried by the negative holder;

Fig. 20 is a plan view of the assemblage of the wind slides and operating mechanism;

Fig. 21 is an end elevation of the wind slide assemblage showing the electromagnetically actuated operating means;

Fig. 22 is a plan view of wind direction wind slide No. 32 (North) Fig. 23 is a plan view of wind velocity slide (Beaufort scale) No. 2, and showing the shafts and barbs;

Fig. 24 is a front elevation of the No. 1 bank of reflecting mirrors partly broken away to show the operating mechanism;

Fig. 25 is an end elevation of the No. 1 bank of mirrors;

Fig. 26 is a top view of the No. 1 bank of mirrors;

Figs. 27, 23 and 29 are front elevational, side and top views, respectively, of the No. 2 bank of mirrors;

Figs. 30 and 31 are plan and side views, respectively, of the No. 3 bank of mirrors;

Fig. 32 is an enlarged section taken along line 3232 of Fig. 30, showing the adjustability of the mirrors in No. 3 bank;

Fig. 33 is a plan View of the control key board which is used in manual operation of the apparatus;

Fig. 34 is an end elevation of the manually operated key board;

Figs. 35a, 35b and 350 show a wiring diagram of the electric circuits used in the operation of the apparatus; and

Fig. 36 is a detail of the hold over switch of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings in Fig. 1 a preferred arrangement of the apparatus of the applicants invention is illustrated comprising a projector shown generally at 50 which is adapted to project a collimated beam of light through preselected wind slides 52 mounted in and operated by mechanism in wind slide box 54. Thence, the beam of light passes longitudinally of No. 1 bank of mirrors 50 to a preselected mirror 58 positioned at an angle of 45 to the direction of the beam of light. There may be thirty of these mirrors in No. 1 bank. The incident beam of light is reflected across No. 2 bank of mirrors, which may be 4D in number of a length equal to the length of No. 1 bank of mirrors, to a preselected mirror 60 which is positioned at 45 to the incident light reflected from mirror 58. The beam of light is reflected by mirror 60 to a particular mirror 62 in No. 3 bank of mirrors 34. No. 3 bank of mirrors is positioned at 45 to the plane of No. 2 bank and at 45 to the plane of sensitized synoptic weather map 56. Mirror 62 is positioned to reflect the beam of light incident thereon to a particular reporting weather station and is adapted to reflect this beam of light clearly and sharply to various areas of a form or station model printed on the map at each reporting weather station.

Projector 50 consists essentially of a shaft 68 which is rotatably and slidably journalled in bearing 10, an end spring II normally holding the shaft at the bearing limit of extension. Near the hub on bearing l and mounted on shaft 68 is a spring return mechanism housing I2. This housing does not rotate with shaft 68 but slides therewith. For detail of this mechanism see Fig. 5. Near housing I2 and on shaft 68 is mounted the station selector switch 74, the housing of which slide but does not rotate with shaft 63.

The outside plates 16 and I8 of the housing carry a series of electrical contacts I9 adapted to engage contacts in the middle or rotor plate I'! of this switch, this plat being keyed to and rotatable with shaft 68. For further detail of this selector switch see description of Figs. 8, 9 and 10.

Surrounding shaft 68 is notched sleeve which constitutes the means for moving the shaft longitudinally along its axis. This sleeve does not rotate with the shaft but is held from rotation by lever 82 which is pivotably connected to sleeve 80 as at 84, fulcrumed as at 86 and actuated by electromagnet 88. The pivot connection 84 is enlarged as shown to prevent binding. Sleeve 80 is exteriorly notched for engagement with electromagnetically operated detents which selectively stop the longitudinal movement of the sleeve and shaft at a particular position required for printing the reported data. At the end of sleeve 80 is located housing 90 of electromagnetically actuated shaft rotating mechanism 92 shown in detail in Fig. 3. In this figure spring biased pawls 94 and 96 are shown engaging the 40 tooth ratchet wheel 98. Pawl 94 is the driving pawl and pawl 96 operates to prevent counterrotation, Pawl 94 is actuated by electromagnet I00. Both pawls are held in disengaging relationship for clearing the apparatus to starting position by electromagnets I02 and I04. Housing 90 slides with shaft 68 but does not rotate therewith. Mounted near housing 90 on shaft 68 is shutter drum I05 which rotates with shaft 68 but does not slide therewith. This shutter drum is provided with a plurality of apertures I I0, one for each section of the negative strip and in alignment with the zero of the index scale of that section, to be further described hereinafter. Positioned within shutter drum I05 and mounted on the end of shaft 68 is cylindrical negative holder II2. This negative holder is fixedly attached to shaft 68 rotating and sliding therewith. This negative holder comprises a base disc I I4 around the periphery of which may be spaced at about 9 40 upstanding arms I I6 which on their exterior edges are countersunk at H] to receive and hold negative strip I I8. (Cf. Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawings.)

Fixedly mounted within negative holder H2 is a light source assembly H9 which comprises a tubular housing I20 containing a source of light I22, and collimating double concave and convex lenses I24 and. I25. (See Fig. 6.) In front of tubular housing I20 electromagnetically operated shutter I26 is positioned. Supported independently and diametrically above negative holder H2 is notched stop bar I28. (See Figs. 1, 11, 15.) This stop bar is actuated by electrom'agnet I30 and is stopped in its outward movement by one of a series of electromagnetically operated stop levers I32 engaging one of the notches I33. The notched stop bar and stop levers are operated only for printing the present weather" data which are indicated in the second group of the synoptic report and in sections six and seven on the negative. Stop bar I28 stops the negative weather slide I90 (Fig. 11) in proper position by impingement of rod I34 on slant face I36 of the stop bar. Wind slide box 54 containing the directional and wind force slides is positioned directly in front of the light shutter I26 so that the slides may be elevated into the path of the light beam and thereby modify the beam to print the desired directional and force data in the desired area on the sensitized map. The wind slide box and operating mechanism are shown in detail in Figs. 20 and 21. A directional slide 32 (North) in Fig. 22 and velocity slide 2 (Beaufort scale 4-7 miles per hour in Fig. 23 are also illustrated). Positioned next to wind slide box 54 and in the path of the beam of light emanating from projector 58 is No. 1 bank of mirrors 56. This bank may contain mirrors and is so positioned with respect to the path of the beam of light that any one of the thirty mirrors may be rotated into the path of light at an angle of 45 thereto for reflection of the incident light at right angles thereto across the No. 2 band of mirrors 59. Details of the structure and operating mechanism of the No. 1 bank of mirrors are shown in Figs. 24, 25 and 26 of the drawings. Details of the structure and operating mechanism of the No. 2 bank of mirrors are shown in Figs. 27, 28 and 29 of the drawings. The No. 2 bank of mirrors is positioned perpendicularly to the plane of the sensitized map and light reflected from the No. 1 bank of mirrors, incident on any mirror 69 in No. 2 bank positioned at 45 to the incident reflected light is reflected in a plane parallel to the plane of the sensitized map to a particular mirror 92 in No. 3 bank of mirrors 64. The plane of the No. 3 bank of mirrors is at 45 to the plane of the No. 2 bank of mirrors and to the plane of the sensitized map. The light incident on any mirror of No. 3 bank such as mirror 62 is reflected to a particular reporting weather station. The mirrors in No. 3 bank are adjustable as shown in Fig. 32 of the drawings so that the beam of light may be reflected to a particular weather station with geographical accuracy on the map.

The keyboard for manual operation of the apparatus is shown diagrammatically at 81 in Fig. v1 and in Figs. 33 and 34.

Having described the general arrangement of the apparatus, the different elements of structure will now be considered in greater detail, reference being made to the various figures of the drawing.

Referring to Fig. 3 ratchet wheel 98 is shown as provided with teeth. These teeth are of uniform pitch thereby rotating a section of the negative into exact position in the beam of light with each stroke of pawl 9Q, the latter being driven by electromagnet I99. Link I8I. resiliently supported as at I93, biased to return said pawl to extreme position and resiliently connected to pawl 94, functions as the armature of electromagnet I88. Electromagnets I82 and I84 function to disengage pawls 94 and 96 from the ratchet wheel 99 thereby permitting shaft 98 to be returned to zero position by clockwise acting pivot spring.

. In Fig. 4 is a view showing the arrangement of stop levers and actuating electromagnets for axially positioning shaft 58 and negative strip I I8. There are nine sets of pivoted levers spaced in groups along sleeve 88. Those levers are selectively actuated by electromagnets to engage in notches on the outer sleeve surface. Typical levers are indicated at I38, I48 and I42 as actuated by electromagnets its, I II and I43 to engage notches I44, I45 and I48. In this figure a sectional view of sleeve 89 is shown together with stop lever I49 and coacting notch I46 in the sleeve.

. Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the shaft return housing and mechanism. Here coiled spring I50 is shown anchored to non-rotating housing I2 at I54. The inner end of spring I58 may be attached to shaft 68 byany suitable means such as by bushing I58 which is keyed to the shaft.

6 Pawls I58 and I68 stop the shaft at zero position. These pawls further coact to adjust the tension on spring I58. I

Fig. 7 shows a front elevation of shutter I28 which is spring biased at pivot II I to bear against stop I12. Electromagnet I'M has an armature I16 provided with a stepped overlap and spring I" permitting inflexible contact with shutter arm I18 on down movement but flexible contact on up movement to permit reinstatement of armature for lever actuation.

Fig. 8 is a view of the station selector switch I4 showing the two outer contact plates I6 and 18 which do not rotate with shaft 68 and inner plate II which does, all three plates moving axially with shaft 68.

. Fig. 9 shows the relationship of the three plates to each other.

Fig. 10 shows clearly the brush contacts I86 between these plates. Three groups of contacts are shown, these groups being referred to hereinafter as rotor plate first, second and third I contacts.

Fig. 11 illustrates details of the negative holder. The brackets H5 which hold the negative are forty in number and are spaced around the periphery of base plate I I4 at 9 intervals. Notched stop bar I28 is shown in retarded position. Two present weather spaces (W1 W2) on the negative holder are indicated at I88. A W1 W2 slide is indicated at I99.

Fig. 12 shows the front face of the negative holder IIB recessed as at III for holding the negative strip in vertical position.

Fig. 13 shows the structural detail of the present weather slide I98. The stop or positioning post is shown at I3 3 and the slide carrying rods are shown at I92. Spring I93 permits adjustment of the slide in relation to the drum.

Fig. 14 shows the relationship of electromagnetically operated stop lever I32 to stop bar I28 and to actuating magnet I3I. There are ten of these levers each one of which is adapted to coact with a particular notch in stop bar I28.

Fig. 15 shows the relationship of stop bar I28 to the negative holder and in particular to stop post I34. Stop bar actuating magnet is shown at I39.

Figs. 16 and 17 show detail of the shutter drum I85. Contact plates are shown at I94 and I99, plate I94 supporting long contact bar I93 and short contact bars III), III and H2, and plate I98 supporting long contact bar I81 and short contact bars I 83 and I99. Spring biased contacts are shown at I98 positioned at to the shutter drum position of the W1 W2 and DDF sections of the negative strip. The circuits controlled by these contacts will be explained in the description of the operation of the apparatus.

Fig. 18 shows in plan view the station model or form printed on the sensitized map at each reporting station. The beam of light is reflected to the rectangular areas within this form printing the reported data placed in the beam of light by the particular section of the negative strip.

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the negative strip. This strip is divided into eight groups of five sections each, corresponding to grouping in the synoptic reports of the Weather Code of 1942. The first three sections of group 1 are for reporting station identification. In the code these sections are designated 1, I and I. The fourth and fifth sections in this group indicate the forms of the low and the middle clouds respectively in a vertical scale of ten positions. In the second 7 group the first and second sections indicate the present vl'eather by two integers from ill) to 99. The third section indicates the horizontal visibility in a vertical scale or from to 9. The fourth section indicates the hei ht of lowest clouds in a vertical scale of from c to 9 and the fifth section indicates the amount of clouds whose height has been indicated in the revious section. In the third group the first two sections indicate the direction from which the wind is blowin by a series of even numbers from 00 to 32, '00 being the symbol for calm and the other numbers being equally spaced in a clockwise direction around a compass rose at 22 /2? intervals, 02 being NNE and 32 being due N. The third section indicates the wind force in a vertical Beaufort scale of from '0 to 9. The fourth section indicates the past weather in a vertical scale of from 0 to 9, and the fifth section indicates the total amount of all clouds in a vertical scale of from 0 to 9. In the fourth group the first three sections indicate the atmospheric pressure in tenths of millibars. Thus a reading of 132 tenths of a inilli bar indicates an atmospheric pressure or 10132 lhillibars. The last two sections of this group indicate the temperature of the atmosphere in degrees Fahrenheit. In the fifth group the first section indicates the relative humidity in a vertical scale of from 1 to the second section indicates the form of high cloud in a vertical scale of from 0 to 9; the third secti'on indicates the barometric tendency during a three hour period ending at time of observation, in a vertical scale of from 0 to 9 and the fourth and firth sections indicate the amount of barometric change during the three hour period ending at the time of observation, both sections reading in a vertical scale of from 0 to 9 thereby indicating one hundredsteps of .005 inch of water per step. In the sixth "group the first two sections may indicate the temperature of the in degrees Fahrenheit; the third section indicates the direction from which the clouds are moving in a vertical scale of from 0 to 9 which indicates the direction on a compass scale at 45* intervals clockwise, '0 being no clouds or calm and 9 being unknown or variable; the fourth and fifth spaces may indicate either the minimum or maximum temperature during a 24 hour period prior to 1:30 p. m., E. S. T. (min) or during a 24 hour period prior to 1:30 a, m. S. T. (-max.) both on the date of reporting. Temperatures of two integers are indicated, the tens integer being indicated by section four and the units integer by section five. enth group the first section indicates the group (7); the second and third sections indicate the height of the ceiling in hundreds of feet in vertical scales from O0 to 99 and the fourth and fifth sections indicate the horizontal visibility in units and tenths of miles in vertical scales of iroin'OO to 99, 91 being 10 miles, 92 being miles and hp to 99 which is 90 miles or more. The eight group may be either the eight code group, the ninth co'de group or the tenth code group. When indicating the eighthcode group, the first section indicates the group number (8) the second section indicates the depth of snow in inches in a vertical scale of from 0 to 9, 8 being eight inches or more and 9 indicating less than 0.5 inch; the third section indicates the time precipitation began or ended in a vertical scale of from '0 to 9, 6 bein'g'five to six hours ago, 7 six to twelve hours ago, 8 more than twelve hours ago and 9 unknown, and the fourth and In the sevfifth sections indicating the amount of precipitation in hundredths of inches in vertical scales reading from 00 to 99. If the precipitation is more than .99 inch one, two, "three etc. must be prefixed to the indication of these two sections. The last three sections of group eight on the film holder are adapted to hold special slides for the indication of data not included in any of the above groups.

The vertical scales or indices in each section are positioned transversely and longitudinally of the section and the field of the light beam so that the light passing through the index and the aligned shutter drum aperture is reflected to a particular area in station form or model as indicated in Fig. 18.

In Figs. 20 and 221 the plan view shows the arrangement of the operating mechanism in wind slide box 51-. Here a series o'f levers 199 and t are pivoted as at 202. These levers are spring biased to return them to zero position, i. e. to return the wind slide to retracted position. Levers 199 are actuated by electromagnets m and levers 2 60 are actuated by eleetromagnets 2'. All of these "levers are spring biased to return position and are pivotal-1y connected to one end of "links 2 08 which at their "other ends are pivotally connected to arms am of the windslides 2T2. Levers 199 and 20B are actuated by electromagnets 2'04 and 2-96 respectively.

Figs. 22 and 23 are plan views "of typical wind slides. 'The slide in Fig. 22 is illustrative of the symbol which may be used for indicating the wind direction from the north. This represents compass direction 32 the code. Other directions slides have this same symbol position at the proper direction angle. Figure 23 is il1ustrative of wind force slide Number '2. It shows single barbed radialshafts and indicates aslig-ht breeze of from four "to seven'miles per hour.

There are at least nine Beaufort scale slides which diner from each other in the number and arrangement of barbs on the shafts.

In Figs. 24, 25 and '26 the elevational view or the No. l'bank of mirrors "is partly broken away to show the structure and operating me'chan-ism in full "line. "There may-be 3o mirrors in this bank which are provided with arms 218 and are pivoted as'at 220. The 'planeof the mirror and itsoperating arm may be eta-n exterior angle "of 21-0 so that movement of the 'arm through an angle of to vertical position rotates "its mirror to an angle of 45 above the common plan su-rface of the mirrors. The mirrors are rotated about their pivot 2-20 to reflecting position by electromagnets 222 which attract armatures m which are p'ivoted as at 226; andth'ese mirrors are 'lo'cked into operative position by means of spring biase'd slotted side bars. 228 and '23'6 which are provided with an elongated slot 2 3! which is coextensive with eaclrmirror. TOne arm or hell crank '23: projects into this 'slotand ispivoted about pivot 233 on frame member 2-34. The other arm of bell crank 232 is provided with a detent 235 which is provided withia sloping face forward.

Be'l1 "crank "232 "-is spring biase'd about its pivot to urge the detent inwardly toward the center of the bank of mirrors. When any mirror-in -the bank "is moved -into operative position by armature 224, detent 2-35 is moved outwardly and th enfinwardly 'ba'ck of armature-2 31'. thereby locking the particular mirror in reflecting position until released by e'lectr'omagnets 236 which move arms 23-! and side bars 228 and 2'30 -t0 rotate 9 bell cranks 232 about their pivots and release detents 235 from holding armatures 224, thus allowing the mirror to pivot to closed position.

The No. 2 bank of mirrors in Figs. 27, 28' and 29 has operating mechanism similar to that of the No. 1 bank of mirrors. The armature 235 pivoting the mirrors is hell crank in form. And the mirror operating magnets 240 are positioned to project through the back plate of the housing for accessibility.

Fig. 30 shows the arrangement of 1,000 mirrors in No. 3 bank of mirrors. A circular mirror such as indicated by the numerals in the drawing is located at each intersection of the ordinates and abscissas. There are thirty abscissas, one for each mirror in No. 1 bank of mirrors and forty ordinates, one for each mirror in No. 2 bank of mirrors. Thus the beam passing longitudinally over the No. 1 bank of mirrors may be reflected by a particular mirror in that bank along the abscissa of that mirror across the No. 2 bank of mirrors. Any one of the forty mirrors will reflect the light incident thereon along the ordinate of that mirror to a particular mirror in No. 3 bank. Thus the light incident on the mirrors of No. 1 bank may be reflected to any one of the intersections.

In Fig. 31 the mirrors in No. 3 bank are all shown as lying in the same plane. In practice,

however, this is not true as each one of these mirrors must be adjusted to reflect the incident light to a particular restricted area on the sensitized map or chart.

In Fig. 32 the adjusting means of the supporting structure of the mirrors in No. 3 bank is clearly shown. Here the mirror is shown as mounted on a stem 244 which has a ball 246 which is supported by socket 248 in plate 250. Set screw 252 is adapted to lock ball 246 in the desired position.

' Fig. 33 shows a plan view of the control key board. The key levers are spring biased to inoperative position and when depressed close two sets of contacts the effect of which will be explained in the operation of the apparatus.

Fig. 34 clearly shows the two sets of contacts open but subject to closure on the depressing of any key on the board. Key lever 254 is shown as spring biased at 256 to return position. The

double set of electrical contacts 258 and single set 260 are closed in succession when key lever 254 is operated.

The operation of the apparatus is described in printing a coded synoptic report received from theobservation station at Bufialo, New York.

Suppose this coded report be read as follows: a 52890 95638 28498 13258 00414 57753 70727 80357 The first three integers 528 of group 1 identify the reporting station and the method of selecting station 520 is therefore first described. I

in eight groups and Reference is here made to the drawings hereboard contact points and the one upper keyboard.

contact point. Electric current may now flow, Fig. 35, from power source shown as electric plug 262 to both of the lower keyboard contacts and: to the single upper keyboard contact connected to key No. 5.

The current motivates the shutter magnet I14, Fig. 7, thru the upper contact 260 and the current returns to ground. The shutter magnet is operated each time a key is depressed permitting a beam of light to pass thru the shutter aperture. This light beam does not reach the sensitized synoptic map paper until its path is deflected by mirrors ll banks 1 and 2, Figs. 24 and 27. key No. 5 sends current to rotor plate contacts 74 leading to the 1st w, 2nd w, 1st D, 2nd D and F circuits; however, as the rotor plate is oriented over the 1st I contacts 300 only, no current can flow, as yet, to the first w, 2nd w, etc. circuits.

The current motivates also, thru the second lower contact 259, ratchet magnet I00, Fig. 3, selective stop magnet No. 5 used in halting the lifting mechanism at desired elevations, Fig. 4, and a lifting mechanism, 82, 84, and 88 Fig. 2.

The lifting mechanism elevates the drum containing the negative holder, Figs. 19, 12, and 2. The above lifting operation occurs each time a key is depressed but actually has no useful function until the mirror banks 1 and 2 are in place. The ratchet magnet operates each time a key is depressed, thereby rotating the rotor contact points from position for 1st I contact to 2nd I contact, then to 3rd I contact position and so on thru the Cl and Cm groups which have no rotor contact points, thru the 1st w, 2nd w, 1st D, 2nd D and F groups which have rotor contact points on bottom of shutter drum I05 and then thru the rest of the synoptics, which have no rotor contact points.

Simultaneously the drum holding the synoptic negatives is rotated permitting selection of desired elements in the proper synoptic sequence.

Simultaneous with above operations, the electric current passes thru the first I contacts 300,

Fig. 8, to the No. 5 hold over switch 30| Fig. 35. This switch is of the type shown in Fig. 6 having a contact making magnet 30! and a release magnet 402. When contacts 404 are closed by magnet 30! the notch at the end of release arm 400 looks the contacts in closed position, from which it is released only by energization of magnet 402. A spring 408 normally urges the contacts to open position.

Closing of hold over switch No. 5 (HO No. 5) closes two separate contacts, 302 and 303, as shown in Fig. 35. The closing of the contact 302 closes circuits from the current supply, shown as transformer 264, to all of the selective mag-'- nets for the No. 2 bank of mirrors controlling the 900 and 500 groups of fixed mirrors in the No. 3 mirror bank. The selective magnets are numbered from 1 thru 9, and 0. None of these magnets can operate as yet as the current paths to ground are still open thru the electro-magnetic switches shown directly below the selective magnets for the No. 2 mirrors, Fig. 35.

The closing of the contact 303 closes circuits from a second independent power source, as transformer 264, to all of the selective magnets for the No. 1 bank of mirrors, Fig. 26, controlling the 500, 400, 300, and 200 groups of fixed mirrors in the main mirror bank. The selective magnets are numbered 1 thru 9 and 0. None of these magnets can operate as yet as the current paths to ground are still open thru the electro-magnetic switches shown directly below the selective magnets for the No. 1 mirrors, Fig. 35.

Now the operator is ready to depress key No. 2 in the keyboard. During the split second that key No. 5 was depressed all of the above operaa One of the lower contacts 258 closed by tions occurred, including the rotation of the rotor plate and negative drum mechanism to a position such that the rotor plate second I contacts are now touching and ready for any electric current that may fiow when key No. 2 is depressed. Rotor contact first I is now open but HO No. switch is still closed and will remain closed until the entire synoptic for station 528 is printed and the keyboard key clear (C) has been depressed. Depressing of key No. 2 closes a set of upper and lower keyboard contacts similar to those of key No. 5 and the same procedure as above is repeated except that now the current must flow thru the lower keyboard contacts to the second I contacts 365 oriented into position by the rotation of the rotor contact plate by the ratchet magnet Fig. 3 motivated when key No. 5 was depressed. The circuit from the lower contacts of the key No. 2 of the keyboard, thru the second 1 contacts, Fig. 8 and Fig. 25, is closed to all three of the electromagnetic switches shown directly below the three No. 2 selective magnets 3.06, 301 and 3118 for the No. 1 bank of mirrors, Fig. 3.5; this closes to ground only the No. 2 selective magnet 305 for the No. 1 bank of mirrors controlling the 500, 400, 355, and 200 groups of fixed mirrors in the main mirror bank.

The current flows thru the No. 2 selective magnet 305 and the small mirror 55 of the No. 1 bank of mirrors which covers the 520-529, 420-428,

328-329, and 225-229 groups of mirrors in the No. 3 mirror bank, springs into place ready to deflect a light beam from the lamp shown in Fig. 6 to a desired mirror in the No. 2 mirrors of Figs. 27, 28 and 29. The mirror 55 will remain mechanicaliy locked in place until the synoptic for 528 is printed and the clear key is finally depressed.

The operator is now ready to depress key No. 8 in the keyboard. During the above depression of key 'No. 2 the ratchet mechanism rotated the rotor contact plate '54 to a position such that the rotor plate third I contacts 3H! are now touching and ready for any electric current that may flow when key No. 8 is depressed. Rotor contacts Y I-350 and II-3G5 are now open. But No. 5 HO switch 39! is closed and mirror 58 in No. l mirrors is sprung in place and locked in position. Depression of key No. 8 closes upper and lower keyboard contacts as in keys No. 5 and 2, the ratchet magnet moving the lower contact to close circuit with the rotor plate third I contacts 3). Also, circuits are made to all four of the electromagnetic switches shown directly below the four No. 8 selective magnets for the No. 2 mirrors, 3, 312, Bit, 3M, Fig, 35. This closes to ground only the No. 8 selective magnet 3H for the No. .2. mirrors controlling the 5% and 505 groups of fixed mirrors in the main mirror bank. The cur rent flows through selective magnet 3, No. 8, and the large mirror 66 of the No. 2 mirrors which covers the 988, GIS, 928, 838, 948, 958, 968, 918, 988, 998, 568, 5H8, 528, 538, 548, 558, 568, 5?8, 588, and 595 groups of fixed mirrors in the main mirror bank springs into place ready to deflect a light beam from the No. l mirror 58 controlling, as stated above, the 523-529, 429-529, 328-329, 220-229 groups of mirrors in the main mirror bank. Thus the mirror 58 along the ordinate of the main mirror bank locates stations 529-529, 429-429, etc., while along the abscissa a mirror 50 locates stations 988, 918, 928, 938, etc., and 558, 518, 528, 558, etc. At the point of intersection, the beam of light is reflected to fixed mirror 82 at station 528, which is the only station common 12 to both the No. l and No. 2 mirrors, selected by depressing in sequence keys No. 5, 2, and 8.

The two selected mirrors in mirror rows No. 1 and No. 2 remain sprung in place ready to receive an image from the Cl and Cm (cloud) group; This group shown in Fig. 19 of the negative strip, is the first synoptic rotated into place on the negative drum holder by the ratchet mechanism. Rotor contacts for first I, second I, and third I are now open and will not contact any further points until Cl and Cm are entered; then upon further rotation of the shutter drum, contact will be made with 1st N, then 2nd. W, then 1st D, 2nd D and finally F; the remaining synoptics of W, N, PPP, TT, etc., will, as in the case of Cl and Cm, be controlled entirely thru the negative drum and not by the rotor contact plate which is devoid of contacts for the entering of the latter synoptics.

The depressing of keyboard keys Nos. 5, 2 and 8 motivated three times the ratchet magnet. thereby rotating simultaneously the negative holder, holding the negative strip and the shutter drum so that the cloud group CL, Fig. 19, is now ready to be rotated and aligned in front of the light source assembly and in front of the lamp shutter Fig. '7 when keyboard key No. 9 is depressed. So far the beam of light has been unable to travel through the shutter drum to the sensitized paper of the weather map as the shutter drum surrounding the negative is opaque for rotating positions III. The shutter drum 105 allows only one symbol or numeral of a synoptic element to be printed at any one setting. This is accomplished by having square holes in the shutter drum in line with each of the zero symbols or numerals of the synoptic elements when the negative is in the down position.

Description of operation of circuit for CL cloud group: Depress keyboard key No. 9, Figs. 33, 34 and 35; this operation manually first closes the two lower keyboard contact points and then a split second later the upper keyboard contact point. Electric current may now flow, from power source shown as electric plug 252, to both of the lower keyboard contacts 265 and 266 and then to the single upper keyboard contact 251 connected to key No. 9. The current first motivates, simultaneously through one of the lower contact points, the selective stop magnet 263 of the lifting mechanism, the ratchet magnet I00, and the main lifting magnet 88 of Fig, 4. This places in position in front of the lamp the C1. open symbol No. 9 of the cloud group of the negative opposite the square hole opening of the shutter drum.

The upper contact 261 of keyboard key No. 9 is now closed allowing current to flow to the shutter magnet H4 of Fig. 7, which flips the light shutter H0, Fig. 7, allowing the light beam to pass through the shutter drum square hole opening, through the C1. No. 9 negative cloud symbol to the mirrors of banks 1 and 2 and the main mirror bank 3, and then to the sensitized paper of the weather map. The C1. No. 9 is printed in the position shown in Fig. 18 of the station model.

Description of operation of circuit for CM cloud group: Depress keyboard key No. 0, Figs. 33 and 35; this operation manually first closes the two lower keyboard contact points and then a split second later the upper keyboard contact point. Electric current may now flow from the power source only to the ratchet magnet 88, Fig. 35, which rotates the shutter drum I05 and negative holder H2 so that the middle cloud group CM is in position to be printed. However, the main lifting magnet 88, Fig. 35, was not operated when key No. was depressed and the negative holder II2 did not rise leaving CM symbol 0 opposite the square hole opening of the shutter drum. The symbol 0 on the negative is opaque, which prevents the light beam from reaching the Weather map when the shutter magnet I'M of Figs. 7 and 35 motivates the lamp shutter through the closingof the upper contact of keyboard key No. 6. Thus no symbol is printed when keyboard key No. 0 is depressed and therefore, in this case, the cloud symbol CM is not entered on the weather map. When the operator releases key No. 9, or any depressed key, the lifting mechanism, Fig. 2, operated by the main lifting magnet 88, i returned to its starting position, zero lift position, by springs II and I mounted at the end of the lifting shaft and about the rotating axis of the main lifting magnet lever.

Description of operation of circuit for W1 W2 weather groups: Depress keyboard key No. 9, Figs. 33 and this is the first number of the W1 W2 VhNh group which close circuits as usual through the lower contact points of the keyboard, key, 2

operating simultaneously, through contact 266, the No. 9 selective stop magnet 263 of the lifting mechanism, the ratchet magnet I90, and the main lifting magnet 88. The operation of the ratchet magnet rotates the shutter drum I95 one notch, thereby closing the first W slide contact I08 of the shutter drum contact plate on the under side of the shutter drum, Figs. 16 and 17. The No. 9 selective stop magnet 263 of the lifting mechanism and the main lifting magnet 88 were operated by depressing key No. 9 but have no useful function as yet in the printing or operation of the WW weather group. An electric circuit is closed also through the second lower contact point 265 of the keyboard key No. 9, through the first W slide contact I08 on the under side of the shutter drum, thereby operating the electromagnetic switch 258 which closes the circuit leading to ground from one side of the hold over switches leading to the bank selective stop magnets I3I for the weather slide I28, Fig. 35. Current then flows from the first lower contact 266 of the keyboard key No. 9 through hold over switch No. 9 connecting to ground the No. 9 selective stop magnet I 3| for the weather slide and the main weather magnet I30, Fig. 35, which operates the weather slide stop lever I28. These magnets however cannot as yet operate as the current leading to them must go through the open 2nd W slide contact I09 on the under side of the shutter drum. The upper contact of keyboard key No. 9 is now closed allowing current to flow to the shutter magnet which flips the light shutter I10; however, no light reaches the sensitized paper of the weather as the first W portion of the negative is opaque. In Fig. 18 of the station model the WW groups are shown one above the other merely to show that two numbers are used to describe a single synoptic entry for WW on the station model.

Description of operation of circuit for W1 W2 weather groupcontinued: Depress keyboard key No. 5, the second number of the W1 W2 VhNh group. This close a circuit through lower contact 259, the No. 5 selective stop magnet 26I of the lifting mechanism, the ratchet magnet I69, and the main lifting magnet 88, Figs. 2 and 35. The operation of the ratchet magnet rotates the shutter drum one notch, thereby opening the first W slide contact I08 and closing the second W slide contact I09 of the shutter drum contact plate on the under side of the shutter drum I05, Figs. 16 and 35. The operation of the main liftin magnet 88 raises the negative holder on which is mounted the WW weather group slide I90, Fig. 31 containing as shown in Fig. 19 all 'of the WW synoptics. The operation of the No. 5 selective stop magnet 26I of the lifting mechanism stops the negative holder at the point where the 5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, '75, 85, and M synoptics of the WW group are at the same height as the square hole opening in the shutter drum; the latter can only rotate and cannot move up with the negative holder. The weather group slide may move with respect to the negative holder only about the periphery of the negative holder and only in the space of two notches of the ratchet mechanism as shown in Figs. 19 and 12. A cir cuit is also closed through lower contact 258 of keyboard key No. 5 through the 2nd W slide contact I09 on the under side of the shutter drum operating the main weather magnet I30 and the No. 9 selective stop magnet I3I for the weather slide, Figs. 15 and 35. The main weather magnet I30 moves the weather slide stop lever I28 until stopped by the selective stop magnet stop No. 9. The weather slide is accordingly stopped in its rotary motion, occurring as the negative holder is rotated by the ratchet mechanism, so that the 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 9'7, 98, 99 and M synoptics of the WW group are in vertical alignment with the square hole opening in the shutter drum. Thus, since the lifting mechanism has raised the 5 through 95 and M W synoptics in position on the weather slide and the main weather stop lever has interrupted the rotary motion or" the weather slide so that the 91 through 99 and M WW synoptics are in position, the particular WW synoptic No. 95 is oriented correctly in position oppositethe square hole opening of the shutter drum.

The upper contact 260 of keyboard key No. 5 is now closed allowing current to flow to the shutter magnet which flips the light shutter I19, Figs. 7 and 35, permitting the light beam to pass through the shutter drum square hole opening, through the W No. 95 negative weather symbol to the mirrors of banks 1, 2 and 3, and then to the sensitized paper of the weather map. The WW No. 95 is printed in the position shown in the station model, Fig. 18.

Description of operation of circuits for the V, h and Nh visibility group, height of lower clouds group, and amount of lower clouds whose height is h group: The entering of the remaining portion of the WW, V, h, N11 group, namely V, 71., and

as with the C1. group described above.

Description of operation for the DD, F group? Depress keyboard key No. 2, which is the first number of the DD, F, W, N group. Depressing key No. 2 closes circuits through the two lower contact points 210, 2' of the keyboard key operating simultaneously, one of the lower contacts actuating the No. 2 selective stop magnet 272 of the lifting mechanism and the main lifting magnet, which have no function in the working of the DDF groups, and the ratchet magnet. The operation of the ratchet magnet rotates the shutter drum one notch, thereby closing the first D slide contact III! on the under side of the shutter drum, Figs. 16 and 35. In Fig. 16 the DDF slide contacts are shown about 60 to the left, counterclockwise of the WW contacts. The DDF slide contacts include metal bar I93 andthe aeecnaa 15 three separate short metal bars referenced 1 I8, ill and H2 includes metal bars it? and 128 and (89.

Current also flows from lower contact 218 to the electromagnetic switch 214 which connects to the first D contact I ID the grounded hold over switch 2'15 controlling the No. 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28 wind direction slide magnets, Fig.. 35. Also the current flows to the electromagnet 216 which connects the 2nd D contact Hi to the grounded hold over switch 211 cOIltl'ollilig the 02, 12, 22, and 32 wind direction slide magnets, the lead going to the F slide contact and the lead going to one side of the wind force slide magnets.

The current also flows to the electromagnetic switch 2'38 which connects to ground one side of the No. 2 wind force slide magnet. This connection to ground is only temporary as no hold over switches are used in the wind force slide magnets circuit, therefore upon releasing the keyboard key No. 2 the electromagnetic switch is opened and circuit is broken.

Simultaneously with the above operations, current flows from the second lower contact 2' of the keyboard key No. 2 through the 1st D slide contact i I on the under side of the shutter drum to the hold over switch 215 controlling the No. 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28 wind direction slide magnets Fig. 35, thereby connecting one side of their circuit to ground.

The upper contact of keyboard key No. 2 is then closed permitting electricity to flow to the shutter magnet. This operation has no useful function as the first D negative is o aque and no light can therefore reach the sensitized paper a of the weather map.

Description of operation of circuit for the DD, F group-continued: Depress keyboard key No. 8, Figs. 33, 34 and 35; this is the second number of the DD, F, W, N group. Depressing key No. 8 sends current as usual through the two lower contact points 258, 28! of the keyboard key operating simultaneously, through contact 280, the ratchet magnet, the selective stop magnet No. 8

of the lifting mechanism, and the main liftin magnet being energized. The operation of the ratchet magnet rotates the shutter drum one notch, thereby opening the first D slide contact H8 and closing the second D slide contact III of th wind direction circuit on the under side of the shutter drum. The operations of the selective stop magnet No. 8 of the lifting mechanism and the main lifting magnet have no function in the working of the DDF group which is controlled entirely by the DDF slide contacts on the under side of the shutter drum through the electric circuits shown as wind circuit, Fig. 35. The entire wind direction and wind force mech anism is mounted in front of and below the light unit external of the shutter drum and does not rotate or rise with the shutter drum. Current also flows from the contact point 280 of keyboard No. 8 to the electromagnet 28! which connects to the 2nd D contact one side of the electric circuit of the hold over switch 282 controlling the 08, 18, and 28 wind direction slide magnets. As explained below this hold over switch is closed by current flow from the 2nd D slide contact on the under side of the shutter drum, Fig. 35. Current also flows from the lower contact point 280 of keyboard No. 8 to the electromagnet 283 which connects to ground one side of the No. 8 wind force slide magnet. This connection to ground is only temporary as no hold over switches are used in the wind force slide magnets circuit; therefore upon releasing the keyboard key No. 8 the electromagnetic switch is opened and the circuit is broken. Simultaneously with the above operations a circuit is closed from the second lower contact point 28! of the keyboard key No. 8 through the 2nd D slide contact on the under side of the shutter drum through the closed electromagnetic switch 285 closing the hold over switch 282 controlling the 08, 18, and 28 wind direction slide magnets as explained above. The wind direction slide magnets cannot operate, however, as they are not connected to the power source through the F slide contact on the under side of the shutter drum; the latter slide contact will not be closed until the next depressing of key No. 4 for the F group. The upper contact will not be closed until the next depressing of key No. 4 for the F group. The upper contact of keyboard key No. 8 is then closed permitting electricity to flow to the shutter magnet, Figs. 7 and 35. This operation has no useful function as the 2nd D negative is opaque and no light can therefore reach the sensitized paper of the weather map.

Description of operation of circuit for the DDF group-continued: Depress keyboard key No. 4, Figs. 33, 34 and 35; this is the third number of the DD, F, W, N group, Depressing key No. 4 operates the wind direction slide magnets and wind force slide magnets simultaneously. Current flows from the two lower key No. 4 contact points 286, 281, operating simultaneously, through contact 288 operating the ratchet magnet, the selective stop magnet No. 4 of the lifting mechanism, and the main lifting magnet. The operation of the ratchet magnet rotates the shutter drum one notch, thereby openin the 2nd D slide contact Ill and closing the F slide contact H2 of the wind force circuit on the under side of the shutter drum. The operations of the selective stop magnet No. 4 of the lifting mechanism and the main lifting magnet have no function in the working of the DDF group as explained in immediately preceding paragraph.

Current also flows from the same lower contact point 288 of the key No. 4 to the electromagnet 296 leading to the hold over switch 29i controlling wind direction slide magnets 04, 14, and 24. This hold over switch cannot close, however, as its source of current must come from the 2nd D slide contact which is now open. Thus the above wind direction slide magnets circuit have no function in the sequence of depressing the keyboard keys 2, 8, 4 of the DDF group. Cur rent also flows from the same lower contact point of key No. 4 to the electromagnet 292 which closes to ground the wind force slide magnet No. '4. At the same time current flows from lower contact point 281 of key No. l through the F slide contact to the 294 wind force slide magnet 288 which snaps into position wind force slide negative No. 4, Figs. 20, 21, 22 and 23. This slide is now positioned opposite the square hole openingin the shutter drum, and consists of a negative showing Beauforte force 4 for every position of the compass required by the weather code, i. e., 02, O4, 06, through 32. A picture of Beauforte force 2 for 8 compass positions is shown in Fig. 25. Current also flows from the F slide contact through closed contact 282 of the hold over switch leading to the 03, 18, and 28 wind direction slide magnets. The current can operate however only wind direction slide magnet No. 28 which is the only one of the 08, 18, and 28 group 

